The IOW is absolutely superb for walking whether it’s the coastal path, country walks, hilly walks or along the old railway lines – there’s something for everyone. Shanklin is a good base with all it’s restaurants within walking distance (see our website for recommendations) and lots of walking trails running through it and excellent bus and train links for those who want to leave the car at home.

This itinerary is not for the faint hearted, although the hardy walkers will probably walk on the rest day as well. We’ve tried to make it accessible for those not wanting to bring the car.

We use our own walks and the ‘Favourite Walk’ books, which are £2.00 each & contain 12 walks in each (available at OSGH or online).

We have given refreshment stop ideas, but you may want to take a packed lunch, which we can arrange and don’t forget your walking gear – water, hat, waterproof & good comfy boots.

Day of Arrival

A nice relaxing afternoon. You could walk down to the seafront through Shanklin Chine for a bit of a warm up.

Day 2 OSGH – Culver Down – OSGH

This walk starts from the house and can be shortened to Sandown and back.

We follow the esplanade to Sandown and continue past Dinosaur Isle and up over the bay onto the downs to Culver Haven.

On the way back you can take the lane down and keep turning left along the roads, but it’s a bit hazardous, so we recommend coming down the same way and you get a different perspective and wonderful views.

The walk tracks the same path back to the Beach Shack past Sandown pier. Next to this is a slope going up to the coastal path back to Shanklin.

You could do the coastal path there and Esplanade back, but the Esplanade loses the sun in the afternoon and can get a bit chilly.

Refreshments: at the end of the Esplanade at the Beach Shack, Sandown and Culver Haven at the top of the down. There are also various refreshment points along the way there and back.

This lovely walk from Compton Farm goes through sheep and big fat black cow fields, but they seem friendly enough. Then through Hulverstone and passing the long stone over Brighstone the walk passes coastguard cottages and follows the coastal path back to the farm. It’s quite a climb initially, so quite downward on the way back.

Refreshments at The Sun in Hulverstone. We recommend checking opening times as this is the only stop and although the book says it’s a 6 mile walk it seems more and the coastal path back is further than you think.

Option 2 Freshwater – Needles – Yarmouth

You can take the bus to Freshwater and the coastal path goes up over the bay to the West. It’s a well trodden path and a busy one too. You can either walk to the Needles and stop to take in a pleasure boat ride or fill up your coloured sands or carry on.

The walk goes up over the other side of the ‘pleasure park’ to Hedon Down through Totland Bay and Fort Victoria Park to Yarmouth. An extremely scenic walk.

(Take a packed lunch.) This is quite a strenuous one, which is why we give you a 2nd option!

Starting from Shorwell this walk goes so far you can see Carisbrooke Castle. It goes up and down and up and down again. There are no refreshment opportunities either, but you’ll certainly feel like you deserve that extra Scotch egg you take with you! It makes my feet ache just thinking about this walk!

Option 2 Shanklin, Borthwood & America Wood

This walk goes from Shanklin and you can walk to the start. Good one for a really hot day, as it’s quite sheltered in the woods. It’s not a long walk, so you can get food in Shanklin before and after if required.

Day 5 Rest Day

A good opportunity to take in one of the sights – Osborne House, Carisbrooke Castle, The Needles, Godshill etc

Day 6 Stenbury Trail Newport to Ventnor 10 miles

Don’t be fooled by the beginning of this walk!
Take the bus to Newport where the walk starts the beginning of the walk follows the old railway line. A short diversion off the walk to Godshill is well worth it for this quintessential English Village.

From Godshill the walk is more hilly, going over the downs over Appuldurcombe and finishing at Ventnor Botanic Gardens.

Refreshments Godshill at the Taverners, The Essex or there is a large selection of tea rooms.

Day 7 OSGH – St Boniface – Ventnor – Steephill Cove – OSGH

Using our written walk this goes from the house past St Blasius Church over St Boniface Down (the highest point on the Island), down into Ventnor to the Esplanade, then follows the coastal path to beautiful Steephill Cove. If this is enough for you there is a local bus from Ventnor Botanic Gardens above the Cove or from Ventnor Town Centre.

Alternatively you can follow the coastal path back to Ventnor sea front and keep going past the Island paddling pool, round Horseshoe Bay and continue along the coastal path back to Shanklin.

Refreshments Steephill Cove have a variety of eateries all serving freshly caught crab, lobster and mackerel (when available), The Plantation Room at the Botanic Gardens, Phileas Foggs, Cantina & El Toro in Ventnor, Bonchurch Inn, Bonchurch (a climb up from Wheelers Bay) and during the summer there are a couple of places on the coastal path from Ventnor to Shanklin.